PM Hun Sen says UN staff 'long term tourists' in Cambodia

Updated
Thu Oct 04 22:33:12 EST 2012

Photo

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks to journalists after casting his vote at a polling station during the communal elections in Kandal province on June 3, 2012. He's escalated tensions between his government and the United Nations.

AFP: TANG CHHIN SOTHY

Cambodia's Prime Minister, Hun Sen, has lashed out at the United Nation's envoy for his country, following UN criticisms of Cambodia's land disputes.

UN envoy, Surya Subedi, said in a report last month, a series of Cambodian land disputes "indicate an increasingly desperate and unhappy population".

While Hun Sen did not accuse Mr Subedi by name, he said the author of the "untrue" writings was a national of a country that "has already abolished the monarchy" and "at this hour... has no constitution".

"Hopefully, he will go and help his own country," Hun Sen said in a speech to graduating students in Phnom Penh.

"That would be better than helping Cambodia."

Mr Subedi was born in Nepal, where the monarchy was abolished in 2008. The nation's parliament was dissolved earlier this year after politicians failed to draw up a constitution by an agreed deadline.

Hun Sen's remarks appear to be the strongest yet against the Oxford-educated law professor, who became UN special rapporteur for human rights in Cambodia in 2009 after his predecessor resigned amid a war of words with Phnom Penh.

Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1985 and is seeking re-election next year, also took a swipe at the UN human rights office in Cambodia, reminding its staff they were merely "long-term tourists" and he could refuse to work with them at any time.

"If you don't work appropriately, I will not meet with you," he said.

Activists say land conflicts are Cambodia's most pressing human rights issue. Protests have intensified this year and campaigners say the authorities are increasingly cracking down on dissent.